Deciding to go to an emergency department

Deciding whether to go to an emergency department depends on the severity of your injury or illness.

In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. Once the paramedics arrive they will decide on your care. This may include taking you to the nearest emergency department or treating you at the scene. You may be asked to see your general practitioner for any follow-up treatment.

If it’s not an emergency, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84). Qualified staff are available 24 hours a day. They will advise you on what to do and if you need to go to a GP, pharmacy or emergency department.

GPs can treat many conditions you might otherwise go to an emergency department for, such as removing stitches, sprains and strains, bites and stings, viruses or infections, eye injuries, and prolonged illness or injury.

Pharmacies can help with conditions such as cold and flu symptoms, skin conditions and irritations, minor or mild allergy symptoms, headaches, diarrhoea or constipation, or sleeping problems.

What to expect at an emergency department

You will be asked for your name, contact details and Medicare card. Your medical condition will then be assessed. This may include tests such as X-rays or blood tests. You will either be taken to a treatment room straight away, or asked to go to the waiting room.

Tell the nurse:

if your general practitioner told you to attend the emergency department

any medications you are taking, why and when you need to take them.

any allergies you have

if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

if you have recently been overseas.

What happens after your consultation will vary depending on your medical condition. You may need to:

see a specialist

be admitted to the hospital

be observed for a while longer by medical staff

get treatment such as a plaster cast or stitches

get a prescription for medication

be transferred to another hospital for specialist treatment.

While you may get frustrated waiting longer than another patient, remember that emergency departments are very busy places and staff do their best to see you as quickly as possible. Even if the waiting room does not appear to be busy, medical staff may be treating patients brought in by ambulance or those with urgent medical needs.

Many hospitals have patient support services to help you. If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, are hearing impaired or need an interpreter, please let the staff know if you would like assistance. Chaplaincy and counselling services are also available.

Going home

If you are taken to the emergency department by ambulance, you will need ask someone to pick you up, or take a taxi home. Ambulances are only for emergency situations. While they will transport you to hospital if you are sick or injured, they cannot take you home again.

If you decide to leave before being treated, either because you feel better or want to see your GP instead, you can go at any time. However, the hospital cannot be held responsible if you become sicker or develop another health problem. Make sure you tell the emergency department receptionist or triage nurse that you are leaving.

Before you leave the emergency department make sure you:

understand the treatment you were given and what care you require

know what medicines you need to take and why

know when you need to see a doctor again and who to see (your general practitioner, the specialist or outpatient clinic)

ask if you need a medical certificate, a letter for your general practitioner or Work Cover

take all your belongings with you.

Cost of emergency treatment

Emergency medical treatment is provided free to Medicare card holders at Queensland Health hospitals. You may have to pay for services if you do not hold a Medicare card.

You will pay for services if you attend a private hospital emergency department, even if you hold a Medicare card.

If you are a visitor from a country that has a Reciprocal Health Agreement with Australia, you can access emergency medical care free of charge once you show your passport or reciprocal health care card.